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This paper presents a Fuzzy-QFD model to support the selection of startups to participate in acceleration programs. It proposes to model the selection process by Startup Selection relating the technology transfer and the innovative business modelling. The study provides a quantitative analysis to identify the best startups for participation in accelerated programs. To achieve such a goal, the model uses a multi-criteria decision-making based on QFD (Quality Function Deployment). This study is a pioneer in presenting a model that prioritises the selection of startups by using technology transfer criteria and business modelling components. The model was applied in an acceleration program in Brazilian, and the results indicate that the model is able to rank the companies by presenting which startups stand out. Therefore, the method can be used in prioritisation problems or in the selection of companies to participate in acceleration programs that hold technology transfer in their activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Finding renewable sources of energy is a burgeoning field of research and an important political challenge. Charcoal is the foremost important material to substitute coal. Up until now, not many studies have been conducted to assist decision-makers to select the proper kiln to produce charcoal. Herein, we present multiple criteria decision-making (MCDM) method to select a proper charcoal kiln by taking into consideration the industry's know-how and needs. To solve this problem with the influence of the decision-maker, the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) method was chosen to evaluate the criteria's weight. Furthermore, to allow the decision-maker to analyze both, quantitative and qualitative criteria, the best alternative was chosen by using the Fuzzy Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) method. Finally, the proposed method allows the decision maker to play a crucial role in the process. Combined with the AHP, the fuzzy TOPSIS method made it possible to list the most suitable alternative within the considered industry conditions. Conclusively, the method generates different results for each case and each decision maker, showing itself to be a successful tool for the charcoal industry selects the best kiln, thus boosting the production of renewable energy. • Charcoal is a renewable source of energy to substitute coal. • A MCDM hybrid method, that combines AHP and Fuzzy TOPSIS is used. • A proper charcoal kiln is selected with the industry's know-how and needs. • The method allows to evaluate objective and subjective criteria. • The method can generates different results for each case and each decision maker. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Project evaluation is a process that involves multiple decision criteria for different objectives and involves several specialists, becoming a complex decision-making process. In this sense, to reduce projects evaluation subjectivity in start-ups selection processes, this paper aims at structuring an evaluation model to select projects that present business models focused on strategies for smart cities. To test the proposed model, it was considered a smart cities project selection program in a medium-size city located on southside of Brazil. To do so, it was considered a multicriteria analysis method, in which relevant evaluation criteria for projects focused on intelligent cities were identified. Subsequently, Decision-Making And Trial Evaluation Laboratories (DEMATEL) method was used to weigh these identified evaluation criteria and, finally, TOPSIS method was instantiated to select the best alternative – the evaluated projects – among all alternatives. As a result, the multicriteria proposed model proved to be efficient in evaluating projects aimed at smart cities concepts, showing that the use of MCDA methods can minimise uncertainty and bias in evaluating projects in a quantitative approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Law 12.760 / 2012, with the purpose of correcting faults and punishing more rigorously those who drink alcohol and drive, changed a Law 11,708 / 08, popularly known as Lei Seca. With the New Law had greater rigidity in the analysis of drunkenness, and increased the value of traffic infraction. In this sense, this work aims to verify the impact that, as the movement in the Law caused under the behavior of drivers of the main cities of the Metropolitan Region of Cariri. It is a descriptive research with a quantitative approach carried out in the period from May to July 2015. The research design through the field study. The questionnaires were answered by drivers from the cities of Juazeiro do Norte, Crato and Barbalha. The results obtained evidenced that as the movement in the Dry Law did not cause the impact no habit of the drivers of the studied region, who remain ingesting alcoholic beverages and driving their vehicles, putting at risk their own life and society in general. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]